Darning attachment for sewing machines



w. o. RuNclE E-rAL 2,390,329

Dec. 4, 1945.

` DARNING ATTACHMENT FOR SEWING MACHNES Filed Dec. 18, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet l whLTER 0.521/ GEZA rz /rfczEL/ DCC 4,194.5- w. o. RUNclE ET Ax. 2,390,329

DARNING ATTACHMENT FOR SEWING MACHINES Filed Dec. 18, 1942 C5 Sheets-Sheet 2 WALTER o. .Ra/v c/ E @EzA r1. /rEcz EL Dec. 4, 194s.

w. o.` RUNCIE ETAL DARNING ATTACHMENT FOR SEWING MACHINES Filed Dec. 18 3 sheets-Sheet s .Mmw 3 I Patented Dec. 4, 1945 OFFICE DARNING ATTACHMENT FOR SEWING MACHINES Walter O. Runcie and Gza M. Keczeli, Lima, Peru Application December 18, 1942, SerialrNo. 469,462

(Cl. Gti-1.5)

12 Claims.

This invention relates to a darning attachment for sewing machines and it is one object. of the invention to provide an attachment which may be easily applied to a sewing machine of conventional construction and used for mending runs formed in stockings, socks, and other hosiery.

Another object of the invention is to provide a darning attachment which is not only easy to apply without the use of tools, but very easy to operate after being installed, thus permitting a person to personally repair runs and making it unnecessary to take the damaged hosiery to a professional hose repairer. It will thus be seen that time and annoyance will be saved and also the cost of repairing damaged hosiery appreciably reduced.

Another object of the invention is to provide a darning attachment which is air operated and includes a compressor adapted to be connected withand actuated by the needle plunger or other movable part of a sewing machine. It will thus be seen that no changes are necessary in the construction of the sewing machine and that the sewing machine may be actuated by the usual foot treadle so that both hands will be free to hold the stocking being repaired and manipulate the `darning device.

Another object of the invention is to provide the device with an air regulating valve carried by a coupling mounted through the plate upon which the compressor is mounted and serving as means for controlling actuation of the needle by air pumped from the compressor. It will thus be seen that the length of the stroke imparted to the needle may be controlled and also operation of the needle stopped when necessary without stopping operation of the sewing machine.

Another object of the invention is to provide -a needle assembly including a casing adapted to be easily held in a persons hand and a piston mounted for reciprocating motion in the casing, the piston being so formed that a needle carried therebyrwill be prevented from turning out of proper position during use.

' Another object of the invention is to provide a needle assembly wherein the needle carrying piston is yieldably held retracted by a compression spring surrounding the piston, the piston being moved outwardly by air pulsations forced into Ythe casing from the compressor as the compressor piston is reciprocated by the needle plunger of the sewing machine.

Another object of the invention is to so mount the needle that it will be yieldably held against so mount said needle in the piston carrying the same that it will be rmly held in place but permitted to be easily removed when necessary.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mounting plate which may be easily and quickly set in place after removal of the plate serving as a cover for the bobbin of the sewing machine, a securing member for the mounting plate being then connected with the presser foot plunger of the sewing machine so that the mounting plate will be firmly held in place.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view principally in side elevation and partially in section, showing the darning attachment mounted in position for use.

Fig, 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, looking from the front of a sewing machine.`

Fig. 3 is a view on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. `4L is a perspective view of 'the mounting plate and elements carried thereby.

Fig. 5 is a sectional View on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a detail sectional view of the coupling and its associated parts.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view on the line 'l-'l of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the coupling to which the flexible tube is connected.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken longitudinally through the needle assembly.

Fig. 10 is a view on an enlarged scale, taken longitudinally through the piston of the needle assembly Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken longitudinally through the needle.

Fig. 12 is a detail sectional view on the line I2--I2 of Fig. 7.

This improved darning device is intended as an attachment for use in connection with a sewing machine of conventional form, including the usual table l upon which is mo-unted the base 2 which carries the pedestal 3 ofthe sewing machine. The usual hollow arm or shaft housing 4 extends from the pedestal over the base and, at its free end, carries a housing 5 enclosing the usual mechanism including the usual needle plunger E and presser foot plunger 1. The base 2 has formed therein the usual opening 8 for access to the bobbin and this opening is normally closed by a conventional cover plate 9 which is slid out of closing relation to the opening when outward movement relative to the latch and to 55 the attachment is applied as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. It will thus be seen that no changes are necessary in the conventional construction of a` sewing machine in order that the attachment assembly I3 drivenbyair under pressure' whichl is delivered to the needle assembly from a compressor I4 carried by a mounting plateV I5 and actuated from the needle plunger I5v when. the

sewing machine is operated in the usual manner.'

by a foot pedal or by an electric motor. The mounting plate I5 fits into the opening 8 between the plate I6 of the sewing machine andn the slidable closure 9 and carries a resilient tongue I1 secured to `the mounting plate by a rivet I8 and projecting from an edge of the plate for. engagement under the machine. base 2, as

shown'in' Figs; ltandr 3*.. A. ring. I9` is' mounted on the plate l5', near' the rear edge thereof in order that. the plate may be easily set in place or removed from' the opening 8 andy adjacent its rear side edge the mounting plate carries a tongue or bracket having an upstanding bill 21" having its upper end notched so that it mail be engaged with .the fastener I'2` and iirmly gripped'thereby when the fastenerl I2 is tighten'ed. It will4 thus be' seenl that` the mounting plate may be readily set in place or removed and that, when it is set in place; it will be rmly hel'dyand prevented from 'slipping out of its proper positon Within the opening B;

The compressor has afcylincl'er Z2A disposed vertically under the plate ["5 having' its` upper end screwed into a collar 23 which surroundsv a disc or cap 24' upon the'under-face of the plate. A collar 25 is mounted onv theY upper face or the plate over the "disc- 24 and the plate is formed with an' openingregistering with openings of the disc and the upper collar to provide a bore or passage 26' through which passes the-plunger o1v rod 21 of the piston 28. At its upper end the' plunger carries a4 side arm 29 whichy projects radially from the plunger and, at its outer'freev end; carries an upstanding pin 3El`of such length and diameter that it may be'secure'd through the;

into the cylinder and also serves as an air inlet port through which air at atmospheric pressure enters and leaves the cylinder during operationy of? the: compressor or pump I4. The tube 3l: may be formed of metal, or other desired material, andi at itsV upper end, is mounted through the center open-ing of a socket 33 which is screwed VuponY an externally threaded nut 34' carriedl by the threaded lowerportion of a coupling 35'. This tubular' coupling is screwed.A through a threaded opening formed in the plate I5 and, whend the nut is applied to its protruding lower end portiony it will be rmly held against verti call displacement. The socket 33 may then be applied and* tightenedto formA any air-tight joint betweenl the' tube 3I and they lower end of theY coupling, as* shownfin' Fig; 6i. The upper end of the coupling is formed into a nipple 36 for receive ing one end .of a tube or pipe 31 formed of rubber or other flexible material and having its outer end connected with the needle assembly I3. An annular shoulder 38 surrounds the base of the nipple and overlies a valve sleeve 39 which surrounds the coupling and is fixed to a disc or plate 40? provided with a'lever 4I: in'` order that the sleeve: may1 bei turned. to. adjusted positions. An opening or port 42 is formed through the sleeve to move into and out of registry with the groove 43, leading from the opening 44 formed throughv a side ofthe coupling 35, as the sleeve is' turned about the coupling. Attention is called to thev fact that.. the groove tapers toward its outer end, as shown in Fig. 8. By this arrangement, escape of air may be gradually cut oi as I5 and the handle 41 of the lever is secured'by a screw' 484 having; its hea-dl protruding fromtliev under face of theY lever in positi'ontol serve' as a latch andmove-from one of the arcuatelines of sockets 49'fto another; asl the handler is moved?, and'- hold the sleevey in a setv position with the opening 42 of the sleeve' inpredetermined" relation tothe groove'- 432. The operator ofithe darning' device may thus accurately set the; valve and'v control operation of the needle assembly by allowing at desir-edf amount of air to' escapedur-- ing reciprocation of thepistomor so-set thevent'e sleeve that no air Will escape.

'Ilhev needle assembly is constructed as-illus trated'- in Figures' Qfthrough 11' 'and referring to theseN figures; it will be seen' that this assembly has` a casing 5U liavingf a2 headl' 5l|1 at its rear end" formed with a neclr 5`2` through which isz mounted a: nipple 5S toereceive thev front endY of the tube 3-1=1 endv of` this bushing-g the casingy is for-medi with an opening Fl'foinfl'owl of air-intoi'and out of the casing as the piston 51 recipro'cates the cas-l ing. The: piston or cupi's secured against-the head1 53 of? a plunger '5a by ascrew- 6U' which also serves asl an=V anchor for thebump'er spring' S'I which cushions' rearward movementof'tliepi'ston-l ofthe plunger. Al slot 62de: formedl inthe plunger longitudinally thereof" andi receives' the'- inner e end'v withI one encll bearing against the bushing 54`l and its other end abutting the head? 5B, urgesy the plunger rearwardlyand returnsitto its retracted position after it has beenforc'ed'f forwardly to'Y extended positionA` by' the pressureI off air Vforced into the casing through the-tube 331-; bushing' 541 to receive' the needle; G51 is mounted2 withinthe plunger; wnereit is: securedby a: set screwlt; The` needle projects' forwardly from the plunger' cei've` a5 latch '68; which is? slid'able long-itudir-iallyl of the needle andE i`slield against' di'fspl'acement-` therefrom by a clip? S91. Al l'ug Till projects from the latchV through assl'ot- 1liV extending longitudinallly of theneedle',-ahd this lug.v isengaged by one end of a spring 12 which is coiled-'about the* bushing 54 isv secured in'/ the front endE of" thefcasing byalscrew- 55 and', adjacent the inner needle and has its rear end anchored to the lug 13 so that the spring serves to yieldably hold thelatch retracted, as shown in Fig. 1l. A hook 74 is formed at` the front end of the needle in advance of humps l5 formed on opposite sides of the needle and the latch has a forward portion 16 of reduced thickness terminating in a hook 11 located between the humps 15 when the latch is in its retracted position. A hood or cap 18 is provided to protect the needle when not in use and when this hood is applied, it ts a sleeveor collar 19 at the front end of the bushing 54 in frictional engagement with the collar so that it may be easily removed when the needle is to be used. l

When this darning device is to be used, the cover. plate 9 of the sewing machine is slid to open position and the mounting plate l5 set in place` with the compressor I4 extending downwardly therefrom as shown in Fig. 2. The cover plate is then slid in a closing direction until it abuts the outer side edge of the mounting plate and the cover plate and the tongue i which engages under the base plate 2 of the sewing machine, will firmly hold the mounting plate in position. The upper end 2l of the bracket 2G is then secured to the presser foot plunger by the fastener I2, in lieu of the presser foot, which is removed, and the pin 35 then engaged through thesocket I0 previously occupied by the needle and secured by tightening the screw il. The sewing machine is then set in motion, either by a motor or by means of its foot treadle, and, as the needle plunger 6 moves, the piston rod 2 will be reciprocated vertically and the piston 28 force air from the cylinder 22 through the tube 3|, as it moves downwardly. Pulsations of air will thus be forced through the tube 31 into the rear end of the casing 59 of th needle assembly for forcing the piston 51 and its rod 59 forwardly i and advancing the needle 55 to extended position, and, between pulsations of air, the spring will force the piston 51 rearwardly to retract the needle. ing `or cylinder 50 with the needle passing through the portion of a stocking in which a run has formed and, as the needle reciprocates through the stocking, the run will be taken up by action of the needle in the well known manner.

By grasping the handle 41 and imparting movement to the lever 4 I, the valve sleeve 39 may beturned about the tubular coupling 35 to control escape of air through the openings 44 and 42 and the speed and stroke of the needle will be regulated according to the desires of the person operating the device. After the stocking has been darned the device may be easily and quickly removed and put away until again needed. It will thus be seen that the darning device is adapted for home use and for commercial usein a store where stockings are sold and mended.

While it is preferred to actuate the compressor from the needle plunger, it will, of course, be understood that said compressor may be connected with and operable from the iiywheel or other movable part of the sewing machine with- The needle assembly is held by its cas-4 duit for conducting air under pressureifrom the compressor to the needle assembly, and a valve for regulating now of air through the conduit.

2. In a darning device, a mounting adapted to be secured in the bobbin exposing opening in the base of a sewing machine, a compressor carried by the mounting and operatively connected with and actuated from a moving part of the sewing machine, a `needle assembly, a conduit for conducting air from the compressor to the needle assembly, and a valve for controlling flow of air from the compressor to the needle assembly.

3. In a darning device, a mounting adapted to be carried by the base of a sewing machine, a compressor carried by said mounting and including a piston having a rod projecting upwardly.

from the mounting and provided with a coupling having a pin adapted to be secured in the needle socket of the needle plunger of the sewing machine whereby the compressor will be actuated from the needle plunger during operation of the sewing machine, a pneumatically operated needle assembly, and a conduit for conducting air under pressure from the compressor to the needle assembly.

`conducting air from the compressor to the needle assembly for actuating the same.

5. In a darning device, a mounting adapted to be carried by the base of a sewing machine, a

compressor carried by said mounting and including a cylinder carried by the mounting and proto be carried by the base of a sewing machine, av

compressor carried by said mounting and adapted for operative connection with the needle plunger of the sewing machine, a pneumatically operated needle assembly, a coupling carried by the mounting, a tube between the compressor and the coupling, a conduit between the coupling and the needle assembly, and a valve associated with the coupling for controlling flow of air from the compresser to the needle assembly.

'7. In a darning device, a mounting adapted to be carried by the base of a sewing machine, a

compressor carried by said mounting and adapted for operative connection with the needle plunger of the sewing machine, a pneumatically operated needle assembly, a tubular coupling mounted vertically through said mounting and formed with a side opening above the mounting, a conduit connecting said compressor with the lower end of the coupling, a conduit connecting the upper end of the coupling with the needle assembly, and a valve member movable into and out of closing relation to the side opening of the coupling for controlling'ow of. air to;.the;vneedle. assembly;v

Inl aadarn-ing. device amounting adapted. to.y bea carried: b-y the. base: of a sewing: machine, ai. compressor. carried by saidmounting andfadapted for.` operative connection with. the .needleL plunger? ofthe; sewing machine, a; pneumatically operated needle; assembly, altubular coupling. mountedvertically through said mounting` and formed. with` av sideV opening abovev thel mounting, a conduitconnecting said. compressor-With. the lowen end.. of.; theY coupling, a conduitv connecting the. upperv end of the coupling with. the needle. assembly,v a.

' valve sleeve rotatablymountedabout the coupling above:V the mounting and formedwitha sidez opening.- movabley into. andaout: of registry Withthe side' opening. of the` coupling as the sleeveis, turnedA about the, coupling, the coupling: being formed;

withanv external; grooveV leadingI from its. side." opening. in the path ofVV movement of. the opening.` ofthe' sleeve and tapered. toward its outer end', and a turning lever for. the; sleeveV extending therefrom. over the. mounting;

9:. In `a. darmng device, a-..mounting adapted'. to. be carried: by the base. of` a. sewing. machine,

a compressor carried by said mounting and adaptedf for operative. connection with the: needle plunger of the sewing machine, a pneumaticallyoperated; needle assembly,- a. tubular coupling mounted -vertically through. said mountingV andA formed with aside opening above themounting.,r

for the lever, afastenerA for saidhandle; passingF through. the lever with its lowerfend. constituting a latch', -the upper face. of. the mounting; being` formed with sockets for receiving.. the latch and.

holding the. lever. against: accidental. movement.

with the sleevel in ay set position, andgaz pointer sleeve relative.' to the: opening of thecoupling.

1.0..;V In. combination, a. sewing machine.. includ` ing a reciprocating needle carrier, a, compressori' including a cylinderI on the machine laterally;- spaced: from. said carrier,v a. piston in. saidacylin der: having a. rod projecting therefromr support.-

ingV means. for' supporting said cylinder, means:

connecting said rod to said needle carrier where by; said piston Will reciprocate with said' carrier, a. needle assembly,y anda conduitconnectingsaid cylinder with said assembly.

11. A. darning. attachmentv for mounting on a sewing machine having a reciprocating needle; carrier, said. attachment including a-needleV asisembly, an operator for said` assembly connected` toand actuated by said carrier, said operator includng a cylinder, means for mountingsaid cylinder on the; machine in laterally spaced relation', with respect tov the longitudinal. axis4 of said carrier, a piston slidable in said cylinder, a piston.v rod. secured to saidy piston and extending from.

said cylinder, an arm secured at one end tozsaid.

pistonv rod, carrier clamping means at the. other.;-

end. of said arm whereby reciprocation of said.

carrier will also reciprocate said. piston, and a.. tubular connection betweensaid cylinder andsaid operator.

12. A darning attachment for mountingf on a..

sewing machine having a` reciprocating needle carrier, said attachment including a uid actuaI 

